Commissioners: County must cut corners, jobs

Monday

Nov 24, 2008 at 12:01 AM

J.D. Prose

BEAVER — The Beaver County Commissioners have warned county employees that deep cuts are coming in the 2009 budget and layoffs are possible if an early-retirement package does not remove enough workers from the payroll.

“It’s tough times everywhere,” commissioners Chairman Tony Amadio said. “There are not very many options.”

In a letter to employees on Friday, commissioners said the county is being buffeted on several fronts. The national economic crisis is hitting close to home, and the county is expected to be required to make at least a $2 million contribution to the county pension fund.

Also, the state government is slowing or reducing payments to programs managed by the county, such as Children and Youth Services and Beaver County Behavioral Health, and might eliminate some funding altogether.

County financial administrator Rob Cyphert said he’s expecting $800,000 from the state for one program but, “the state seems reluctant to forward them that check.”

Cyphert said the economic climate is “the worst in two respects: number one, the uncertainty. Number two, there’s no end in sight.”

Commissioners increased taxes by 3.5 mills to 22.2 mills earlier this year, but another increase is not being considered. “We are doubly aware that our citizens face similar financial turmoil, and we have pledged to not resort to tax increases,” commissioners said in their letter.

Instead, county fees will be raised across the board, unnecessary travel has been eliminated and budgeted overtime has been abolished, employees were told. Vacant full-time positions won’t be filled, and part-timers will be used when possible.

Amadio said officials are hoping that between 40 and 50 employees accept the early-retirement package, which the county has offered twice since 2004. If 20 workers take the deal, it would save the county approximately $1 million, Amadio said, factoring in salary and benefits.

Any positions vacated by workers taking the early-retirement package won’t be filled.

The early-retirement package, details for which are still being finalized, should be offered in early December, Amadio said. Commissioners are supposed to pass a final 2009 budget Dec. 30.

The specter of layoffs looms large if not enough employees accept the package. “If this program does not generate sufficient savings, we must turn to the only means left to us: reduction of staff,” commissioners said in their letter.

J.D. Prose can be reached online at jprose@timesonline.com.

COUNTIES IN CRISIS?

Beaver County is facing a harsh financial future just like other counties. Fayette County commissioners are pondering layoffs, and Butler County commissioners have implemented a freeze on hiring and nonessential spending.

LETTER OF INTENTIONS

In Beaver County, commissioners told employees in a letter Friday that there could be layoffs if not enough workers accept an early-retirement package that will soon be offered, saying, “very few, if any, positions vacated by employees taking the early-retirement program will be refilled.”

MEANS TO AN END

The county is also leaving full-time positions vacant, raising fees, eliminating unnecessary travel, reducing budgeted overtime and requiring departments to become more efficient.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.